Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-03-25
"OLD MRS. COLE.
BY 8. A. WEISS.

"Well, I do declare, Mrs. stebbins
So you've been up to BarnviIle, and never
let soul of us know about it?"
"Oh," said Mrs. Stebbins, as she
alighted from a wagon at her own door,
and shook hands with Miss Naylor, who
happened to be passing, 'you see, / only
went for day and night so didn't
think it worth while to advertise it on the
church-door l wanted to buy some dry
goods and kitchen things, and they're
cheaper in Barnville than in little place
like this And besides, there's my niece,
Maria, whom hadn't seen since her last
baby was born, and she and the baby both
in poor health. So thought l might as
well go up, and so kill two birds with
one stone"
"To-be-sure! And how did you find
Maria and the baby2 And how are all
the folks in Barnville"
'Well, l was glad to find them two
looking pretty smart and spry; and as for
the rest, l didn't hear of anybody being
sick or in trouble, unless twas old Mrs.
Cole"
"Ah! So old Mrs. Coles sick2' said
Miss Naylor, with look of aroused inter.
est. "And what is it ails her this timeP
why, nothing much, reckon. did
hear Marin holler to little Betty Cole, and
ask how her gran'ma was to-day; and she
said bout the same as yesterday. Maria
asked if the fever was gone down; but
just then Jeems came in to dinner, so
didn't hear the rest, and forgot to ask
Maria about Mrs. Cole.n
"Well, well I'm sorry to hear she's
sick, poor soul for she's a good woman,
and we can't easy afford to spare such.
But she's well on in years, and I've been
ruther expectin' to hear Of her being took
down, considerin' she's over sixty. But
law me! | mustn't keep you standin' here
In the street, and you just come home.
Good-by and depend upon me for comm
round soon to see what pretty things
you've brought" ="
With this Miss Naylor turned away,
and with her basket on her arm pro,
ceeded to the store for supply of groce.
ries.
There she found Mrs. Brown, the house.
carpenters wife, engaged in cheapening
calico.
"You amt as smart as Miss Stebbins, .
said Miss Naylor, as the two critically
examined the quality of the calico. shes
been up to Barnville, and laid in a lot ol
dry-goods and things, for the sake Of
saving about twenty-five cents or so. Fol
my part, l so for encouraging home
trade"
"Well, l don't know" Mrs. Brown re
piled, doubtfully. "Seems to me every
body's bound to look out for their own
interest, and l confess I'd be willing Il
go little out o. the way to save twenty
five cents. But what did Sally Stebbin
say was the news in BanvilleI"
'Nothing, except that old Miss Coles
down with fever. Miss Stebbins said sht
was no better when she left. She's owe
sixty, and l wouldn't be surprised to hea
of her death any minute"
II wonder if John Coles wife know!
of it2 She ought to be told, for her hus
bands mother was second cousin to ole
Mrs. Cole, and they've got the sam,
family name, and always been friendly
If she dies they'll of course go to tn,
funeral, as they did when the old maj
died, four years ago"
Then Miss Naylor turned to the grocer
les, and Mrs. Brown, having concluded
her bargain by persuading the merchan
to take basket of dried apples in par
payment for his goods, left the store anC
took her way homeward, well pleased.
Meeting neighbor on the way, tn
two stopped to exchange greetings anC
inquire the news.
THAT reminds me-" said Mrs. Brown
promptly. GIVE jest this minute parteC
from Liza Naylor, and she told me tina
she'd seen Mrs Stebbins, who's jest iron
Barnville, and left old Mrs. Cole as low
as could be with fever. Liza said the,
were every minute expecting her death
and she's no doubt gone by this time
poor soul. She thinks Jane Cole will g
to the funeral, if she knows of the olC
lady's death.
''Why, of course, they ought to send
message and let 'em KNOW" replied Mrs
Miller 'They're their own kin, thougl
not very nigh; and naturally they'd go t
the funeral" "
Mrs. Miller turned aside two squares t.
speak to Fanny Bates, Mr.. John Cole
wife's sister. Miss Bates was seated a
her window sewing, aud Mrs. Mile
called to her:
"Say, Fanny, does your sister Col